Integrated boot

ABSTRACT

A bimini top includes a top member displaceable between an expanded position and a retracted position, a securing panel connected to the top member, and a cover member sized to fit over the top member with the top member in the retracted position. The cover member is contained by the securing panel when not in use.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/743,018, filed Oct. 9, 2018, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(NOT APPLICABLE)

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a bimini top and, more particularly, to a bimini top with an integrated storage boot.

A typical bimini top is foldable into a retracted position when not in use, and a bimini boot may be secured over the folded canvas for storage. Existing boots, however, can be easily misplaced or lost. Additionally, existing bimini boots may be stored in an area of the boat that is wet or dirty, making it more difficult to install the bimini boot.

SUMMARY

An integrated storage boot can be stored adjacent the cover member to prevent the storage boot from being misplaced or lost. A securing panel holds the cover member in place adjacent the bimini top, which facilitates installation. When the bimini is in use, the integrated boot disappears into the open top. When needed, the boot is at the user's fingertips to be quickly and easily installed.

In an exemplary embodiment, a bimini top includes a top member displaceable between an expanded position and a retracted position, a securing panel connected to the top member, and a cover member sized to fit over the top member with the top member in the retracted position. The cover member is contained by the securing panel when not in use.

The securing panel may be fixed at one end to the top member and may be selectively securable at an opposite end to the top member. The securing panel may be selectively securable to the top member at the opposite end via a zipper or a hook and loop fastener. The securing panel may be sewn at the one end to the top member. The cover member may be foldable on itself, and with the cover member in a folded position, the securing panel may secure the folded cover member adjacent the top member. The cover member may define an enclosure with open ends and may include a zipper or multiple zippers configured to connect the open ends to enclose the top member in the retracted position. The securing panel may include one end integrated with the top member.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of securing a boot to a bimini top includes the steps of (a) releasing the cover member from the securing panel; (b) unfolding the cover member; and (c) with the top member in the retracted position, positioning and securing the cover member in a position over the top member. Step (a) may be practiced by detaching one end of the securing panel from the top member. The detaching step may include unzipping the one end of the securing panel from the top member. Securing the cover member over the top member may include connecting open ends of the cover member together such as by zipping the open ends together.

The method may further include removing and storing the cover member by: (d) unsecuring the cover member and removing the cover member from the position over the top member; (e) displacing the top member to the expanded position; (f) folding the cover member into a position engaging the top member; and (g) securing the folded cover member with the securing panel.

Unsecuring the cover member may be practiced by detaching open ends of the cover member from each other. Step (g) may be practiced by surrounding the cover member with the securing panel and then attaching a free end of the securing panel to the top member. Attaching the free end of the securing panel to the top member may be practiced by zipping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the integrated boot in a stowed configuration;

FIG. 3 shows the integrated boot with the cover member released from the securing panel;

FIGS. 4-7 show the process for installing the cover member onto a bimini top in its retracted position; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the process of restoring the cover member to its stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the images, a bimini top includes a top member 10 that is provided with an integrated storage boot 12. The storage boot 12 includes a securing panel 14 and a cover member 16. When not in use, the cover member 16 is folded on itself and held in the top member 10 by the securing panel 14.

As is well known, the top member 10 of the bimini top is displaceable between an expanded position (e.g., FIG. 1) and a retracted position (e.g., FIG. 4). The securing panel 14 is connected to the top member 10. Specifically, the securing panel 14 is fixed at one end to the top member 10 via sewing, ultrasonic welding or the like and is selectively securable at an opposite end to the top member 10 via a zipper or a hook-and-loop fastener or the like.

With the top member 10 in the expanded position shown in FIGS. 1-3, the free end of the securing panel 14 can be released from the zipper or hook-and-loop connection or the like to the top member 10, and the cover member 16 can be unfolded (see FIGS. 2-3). Once unfolded, the cover member 16 can be fit over the retracted top member 10 and secured as shown in FIGS. 4-7. The cover member 16 defines an enclosure with open ends 16A, 16B. The zipper sections 18 are configured to connect the open ends 16A, 16B to enclose the top member 10 in the retracted position (see, e.g., FIG. 7). In some embodiments, the cover member 16 is provided with multiple zipper sections 18 to secure the cover member 16 across the width of the top member 10.

When it is desired to remove the storage boot 12, the steps are reversed by first unzipping the zipper sections 18 and removing the cover member 16 from the top member 10. The top member 10 can then be expanded to its open position as shown in FIG. 8. The cover member 16 can then be folded on itself and rolled, and the securing panel 14 can be secured to the top member 10 to conveniently hold the cover member 16 adjacent the top member 10 (FIG. 9).

With the integrated storage boot of the described embodiments, the storage boot can no longer be misplaced or lost. The storage boot is always attached while being removable if replacement is needed. The securing panel holds the cover member in place adjacent the top member, which facilitates installation. When the bimini is in use, the integrated boot disappears into the open top. When needed, the boot is readily accessible to be quickly and easily installed.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A bimini top comprising: a top member displaceable between an expanded position and a retracted position; a securing panel connected to the top member; and a cover member sized to fit over the top member with the top member in the retracted position, wherein the cover member is contained by the securing panel when not in use.
 2. A bimini top according to claim 1, wherein the securing panel is fixed at one end to the top member and is selectively securable at an opposite end to the top member.
 3. A bimini top according to claim 2, wherein the securing panel is selectively securable to the top member at the opposite end via a zipper or a hook and loop fastener.
 4. A bimini top according to claim 3, wherein the securing panel is sewn at the one end to the top member.
 5. A bimini top according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is foldable on itself, and with the cover member in a folded position, the securing panel secures the folded cover member adjacent the top member.
 6. A bimini top according to claim 1, wherein the cover member defines an enclosure with open ends and comprises a zipper that is configured to connect the open ends to enclose the top member in the retracted position.
 7. A bimini top according to claim 6, wherein the cover member comprises multiple zippers.
 8. A bimini top according to claim 1, wherein the securing panel comprises one end integrated with the top member.
 9. A method of securing a boot to a bimini top, the bimini top including a top member displaceable between an expanded position and a retracted position, a securing panel connected to the top member, and a cover member, the method comprising: (a) releasing the cover member from the securing panel; (b) unfolding the cover member; and (c) with the top member in the retracted position, positioning and securing the cover member in a position over the top member.
 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein step (a) is practiced by detaching one end of the securing panel from the top member.
 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the detaching step comprises unzipping the one end of the securing panel from the top member.
 12. A method according to claim 9, wherein securing the cover member over the top member comprises connecting open ends of the cover member together.
 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein connecting the open ends of the cover member together comprises zipping the open ends together.
 14. A method according to claim 9, further comprising removing and storing the cover member by: (d) unsecuring the cover member and removing the cover member from the position over the top member; (e) displacing the top member to the expanded position; (f) folding the cover member into a position engaging the top member; and (g) securing the folded cover member with the securing panel.
 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein unsecuring the cover member is practiced by detaching open ends of the cover member from each other.
 16. A method according to claim 14, wherein step (g) is practiced by surrounding the cover member with the securing panel and then attaching a free end of the securing panel to the top member.
 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein attaching the free end of the securing panel to the top member is practiced by zipping. 